I'm going to use this page to compile the list of places in the Western world that I could consider unsafe to travel to as a trans person. This is a result of the hateful stances the governments have taken in the last couple of years, expressly directing harm from a position of wilfull ignorance and bigotry.
I will also, aside from no travel, start to look at where companies I do business with have their HQ. If they HQ in one of the places and have not spoken out against this hate, then I will not do business with them. As with Shopify, you have shown me who you are and that is to your shame.
I also recognize that you can't shame bigots about their bigotry, but you can shame those who have allowed through apathy. This is happening because the majority of people can't be bothered to stand up and, while I can talk about what's next, I shouldn't have to do that to make people care that harm is being caused because of hate.
United Kingdom
All of it. The UK government has shown itself to be openly hostile to trans people with active plans to actually strip them of legal protections. Scotland might be considered more safe, but the UK government has already demonstrated a willingness to overstep their reach to cause harm despite the will of the Scottish people. As a result, I cannot consider any part of the United Kingdom safe for trans people.
It is also home to the world's most famous bigot and I will do absolutely nothing that will further support her hate. I have, and will continue to, end friendships with people that cannot let her work go. My tolerance for that has utterly evaporated.
United States
Significant parts of the United States are engaged in an all out hate war against trans people, most noticeably in so-called "Red" States. Similar to the United Kingdom, this is a function of far right fascism at the government level and can be seen in the desire to control women's reproductive rights and to obscure and hide the shameful history of racism. While I would consider the US to be a yellow zone generally, there are States that are supporting and protecting trans people, but that ability is at risk come the next US election. In the meanwhile, I would not willingly travel to the United States.
It's easier to list the safer States now. America is an utter disgrace of bigotry, but here's where I might consider travelling to:
- California
- Nevada
- New York
- Illinois
- Michigan
- Deleware
- Massachusetts
- Rhode Island
- Maryland
- Colorado
- New Mexico
- Pennsylvania